Saturday, November 28, 2009
Perfect Result In Much Anticipated Table-topping Encounter
Leigh 1
BGSOB 3
Fidler
Cooke
Matthews
The Old Boys moved three points clear at the top of the division with a hard fought victory over Leigh on Saturday.
This was always going to be a close game between two unbeaten teams and so it proved, as both teams went in search of the win. Leigh struck first, as The Old Boys went behind for the first time this season. Having cleared one short corner, the next was well worked round the runners and finished from the penalty spot via the arm of Captain Tariq Sheikh.
Bury refused to panic however, and went about playing their usual passing game. Within five minutes, the visitors had drawn level, through top scorer Fidler. Yet again, Fidler received the ball just outside the D, and left three defenders in his wake, dispatching the ball with clinical precision before the keeper could move.
The remainder of the half saw both tems pressing for goals. But, despite Leigh's pressure down both flanks, Heaton was left untested. With Bury's midfield working tirelessly, despite missing McManus, the Leigh attacks were broken up and wave after wave of counter attacks were launched.
With the score still level at half time, both teams flew out of the blocks in the second half. However, it was the visitors who made the most of their chances. A sweeping move ended with a near post shot being saved by the Leigh keeper. Matt Cooke was the quickest to react, showing true striker's instincts, and applied the finish that gave Bury the vital second goal.
With pretty much their very next attack, Leigh were then awarded a hotly contested penalty flick as the Leigh striker backed into Heaton. It was to prove a decisive moment. The flick cannoned off the post, much to the undisguised delight of the Bury players.
What followed was a succession of six short corners for Leigh. And yet despite being presented with all these opportunites they could not find the net. True there were tests. Sameer Sheikh, Foster and Tariq Shiekh all blocked one each and Heaton pulled off two vital saves.
With five minutes remaining, the result was sealed. Matthews, who was a doubt before push back, capped a fine performance with a lethal penalty corner. Travelling like the proverbial exocet, the ball crashed into the boards via (or should I say through) a defender's stick.
All in all this was an awesome performance from Bury. Steel, determination, sheer will power and no lack of skill. Everyone deserves a mention from defence to attack. Penetro Cerberus Os. (yes I did just type that - I'll take next week's DOD now!)
BGSOB 3
Fidler
Cooke
Matthews
The Old Boys moved three points clear at the top of the division with a hard fought victory over Leigh on Saturday.
This was always going to be a close game between two unbeaten teams and so it proved, as both teams went in search of the win. Leigh struck first, as The Old Boys went behind for the first time this season. Having cleared one short corner, the next was well worked round the runners and finished from the penalty spot via the arm of Captain Tariq Sheikh.
Bury refused to panic however, and went about playing their usual passing game. Within five minutes, the visitors had drawn level, through top scorer Fidler. Yet again, Fidler received the ball just outside the D, and left three defenders in his wake, dispatching the ball with clinical precision before the keeper could move.
The remainder of the half saw both tems pressing for goals. But, despite Leigh's pressure down both flanks, Heaton was left untested. With Bury's midfield working tirelessly, despite missing McManus, the Leigh attacks were broken up and wave after wave of counter attacks were launched.
With the score still level at half time, both teams flew out of the blocks in the second half. However, it was the visitors who made the most of their chances. A sweeping move ended with a near post shot being saved by the Leigh keeper. Matt Cooke was the quickest to react, showing true striker's instincts, and applied the finish that gave Bury the vital second goal.
With pretty much their very next attack, Leigh were then awarded a hotly contested penalty flick as the Leigh striker backed into Heaton. It was to prove a decisive moment. The flick cannoned off the post, much to the undisguised delight of the Bury players.
What followed was a succession of six short corners for Leigh. And yet despite being presented with all these opportunites they could not find the net. True there were tests. Sameer Sheikh, Foster and Tariq Shiekh all blocked one each and Heaton pulled off two vital saves.
With five minutes remaining, the result was sealed. Matthews, who was a doubt before push back, capped a fine performance with a lethal penalty corner. Travelling like the proverbial exocet, the ball crashed into the boards via (or should I say through) a defender's stick.
All in all this was an awesome performance from Bury. Steel, determination, sheer will power and no lack of skill. Everyone deserves a mention from defence to attack. Penetro Cerberus Os. (yes I did just type that - I'll take next week's DOD now!)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
A Titantic Clash
BGSOB 1-1 Blackpool
C. Lowe
The two teams with 100 per cent records in division nine met each other on Saturday and produced an epic encounter. Bury were missing top scorer Luke Fiddler as well as a host of other players, meaning they could only field two subs.
Both sides were looking to attack from the off, with good approach play but chances, for the first fifteen minutes, were at a premium. A Blackpool short corner passed harmlessly with a shot that was over backboard height, and the Bury defence stifled the visitors whenever they reached the circle. This changed however when Blackpool brought on Steven Whitley, who demonstrated all his first team experience to influence the play.
Blackpool now created four chances in quick succession, but keeper Heaton demonstrated why he hasn't conceded in open play this season. Bury gave as good as they got and Chris Lowe came very close to giving the home side the lead shortly before half time. Added to narrow misses from Cooke and numerous balls flashed across the D, the nil nil half time scoreline was probably fair.
The second half saw Bury take the initiative, with good passing movements that stretched the Blackpool defence. Eventually, Bury got their reward as a well worked move saw Matthews draw the keeper and slip the ball to Chris Lowe, who's intelligent run had left him free at the far post. A simple finish saw the home side take the advantage. Blackpool tried to hit back, again with Whitley the focus of their play. However Heaton remained largely untroubled as the defence held firm despite severe pressure.
Berry, Stoneman, McManus, Foster, Hillary, Matthews and Ainscow provided midfield cover as the back three of Lowe, and Tariq and Sameer Sheikh all helped to repel attacks before shots could find their way goalwards. Eventually, Whitley found himself one on one with Sameer Sheikh in the D. As the Blackpool striker went over, a flick was awarded. Even this though was nearly saved by Heaton, as he got a blocker to the shot but cruelly saw the back spin take the ball over the line.
Blackpool pushed for the winner and Foster had to bravely block a short corner, before Bury had the ball in the net from a short corner at full time, only for the whistle to have gone for a stick tackle during the first stage of the corner.
All in all a good game, featuring some excellent hockey, although Bury may be slightly happier given the stretched nature of their squad.
C. Lowe
The two teams with 100 per cent records in division nine met each other on Saturday and produced an epic encounter. Bury were missing top scorer Luke Fiddler as well as a host of other players, meaning they could only field two subs.
Both sides were looking to attack from the off, with good approach play but chances, for the first fifteen minutes, were at a premium. A Blackpool short corner passed harmlessly with a shot that was over backboard height, and the Bury defence stifled the visitors whenever they reached the circle. This changed however when Blackpool brought on Steven Whitley, who demonstrated all his first team experience to influence the play.
Blackpool now created four chances in quick succession, but keeper Heaton demonstrated why he hasn't conceded in open play this season. Bury gave as good as they got and Chris Lowe came very close to giving the home side the lead shortly before half time. Added to narrow misses from Cooke and numerous balls flashed across the D, the nil nil half time scoreline was probably fair.
The second half saw Bury take the initiative, with good passing movements that stretched the Blackpool defence. Eventually, Bury got their reward as a well worked move saw Matthews draw the keeper and slip the ball to Chris Lowe, who's intelligent run had left him free at the far post. A simple finish saw the home side take the advantage. Blackpool tried to hit back, again with Whitley the focus of their play. However Heaton remained largely untroubled as the defence held firm despite severe pressure.
Berry, Stoneman, McManus, Foster, Hillary, Matthews and Ainscow provided midfield cover as the back three of Lowe, and Tariq and Sameer Sheikh all helped to repel attacks before shots could find their way goalwards. Eventually, Whitley found himself one on one with Sameer Sheikh in the D. As the Blackpool striker went over, a flick was awarded. Even this though was nearly saved by Heaton, as he got a blocker to the shot but cruelly saw the back spin take the ball over the line.
Blackpool pushed for the winner and Foster had to bravely block a short corner, before Bury had the ball in the net from a short corner at full time, only for the whistle to have gone for a stick tackle during the first stage of the corner.
All in all a good game, featuring some excellent hockey, although Bury may be slightly happier given the stretched nature of their squad.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Derby Joy For Bury
BGSOB 4-1 Bolton
Hillary
Fidler (2)
Cooke
The Old Boys maintined their excellent start to the season with a dominant victory over Bolton.
Bury struck first in the opening three minutes, as Ian Hillary received a short corner and found the net despite heavy defensive pressure. The Old Boys were buoyed by this excellent start and doubled their advantage with less than fifteen minutes played.
Luke Fidler continued his excellent goal scoring form as he found the net from close range, following a scramble in the circle. Bury then proceeded to dominate the remainder of the half playing some of their best hockey of the season.
Measured passing and controlled possession, coupled with intelligent running and superb work rate saw Bolton on the back foot for most of the half. When keeper Heaton was called into action, he was alert enough to turn a rising shot over the bar, as Bolton finally found a way through the home defence.
For the first fifteen minutes of the second half the game was more evenly balanced and Bolton managed to halve the deficit through a short corner of their own, this was the first goal the Old Boys have conceded all season.
However, this goal only served to galvanise Bury who soon got back into their rhythm. Following the best passing move of the match down the left wing, involving Matthews, Berry and Cooke, the ball was delivered to Fidler who netted his fourteenth goal of the season.
The scoring was finished off by Cooke who found room at the far post, and finished another move that had started down the left wing. This was a deserved reward for Cooke who had played an important role in all the Bury goals.
This was an impressive performance from The Old Boys, who remain second in the division with a game in hand, trailing by only a point. Next week sees the visit of Blackpool to Parenthorn, who are third in the table and also have a hundred per cent record.
Hillary
Fidler (2)
Cooke
The Old Boys maintined their excellent start to the season with a dominant victory over Bolton.
Bury struck first in the opening three minutes, as Ian Hillary received a short corner and found the net despite heavy defensive pressure. The Old Boys were buoyed by this excellent start and doubled their advantage with less than fifteen minutes played.
Luke Fidler continued his excellent goal scoring form as he found the net from close range, following a scramble in the circle. Bury then proceeded to dominate the remainder of the half playing some of their best hockey of the season.
Measured passing and controlled possession, coupled with intelligent running and superb work rate saw Bolton on the back foot for most of the half. When keeper Heaton was called into action, he was alert enough to turn a rising shot over the bar, as Bolton finally found a way through the home defence.
For the first fifteen minutes of the second half the game was more evenly balanced and Bolton managed to halve the deficit through a short corner of their own, this was the first goal the Old Boys have conceded all season.
However, this goal only served to galvanise Bury who soon got back into their rhythm. Following the best passing move of the match down the left wing, involving Matthews, Berry and Cooke, the ball was delivered to Fidler who netted his fourteenth goal of the season.
The scoring was finished off by Cooke who found room at the far post, and finished another move that had started down the left wing. This was a deserved reward for Cooke who had played an important role in all the Bury goals.
This was an impressive performance from The Old Boys, who remain second in the division with a game in hand, trailing by only a point. Next week sees the visit of Blackpool to Parenthorn, who are third in the table and also have a hundred per cent record.
